In a letter to seven environment ministers of G8 nations (excluding the USA), the business initiative e-mission55 pointed out the necessity of urgently ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on climate protection in these key countries. In the letter in the run-up to the ministers’ meeting from 12 to 14 April in Canada, e-mission 55 spokesperson Paul E. Metz appeals to the environment ministers of the world’s strongest economies to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force in time before the World Summit for Sustainable Development, which is taking place from 26 August to 4 September 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Your commitment is needed and your meeting in Canada in mid-April is the occasion to assure the world that your government will ratify the Protocol independent of the US decision on this issue”, Metz wrote to the environment ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom. US-President George W. Bush last year openly rejected the Kyoto Protocol after years of debate and compromises and presented an own climate protection plan in February, which was the subject of much international criticism.

e-mission55 was founded in early 2001 and currently comprises 170 international companies in favor of the Kyoto Protocol. The business initiative is convinced of economical benefits arising from climate protection and from flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading that were agreed upon in the Kyoto Protocol.

Documentation:

This letter was sent to

Mr. David Anderson, Canada

Mr. Yves Cochet, France

Mr. Jürgen Trittin, Germany

Mr. Altero Matteoli, Italy

Mr. Hiroshi Ohki, Japan

Mr. Vitaly G. Artyukhov, Russian Federation

Mrs. Margaret Beckett, United Kingdom

Dear …

as the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg is approaching, we – part of the business community – eagerly await the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. The implementation of its market based solutions for climate protection offers benefits, both to developing and industrialised nations.

Currently, 2 billion people have no access to basic energy services. This vast part of the world population thus has a very limited chance of economic growth. In order to fulfil their needs while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the world urgently needs a forceful framework for clean energy production and efficient use. The ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol is an important and innovative milestone for this.

We appeal to you as environment ministers of the strongest economies of the world to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force by the WSSD the latest. The Kyoto Protocol will enhance the use of new energy technologies, thereby creating business opportunities. Your commitment is needed and your meeting in Canada in mid-April is the occasion to reassure the world that your government will ratify the Protocol independent of the US decision on this issue.

As business leaders concerned about our planet’s future we are calling on you to do your utmost to develop a level playing field for businesses worldwide by entering the Kyoto Protocol into force and by providing a framework that allows the development of a globally sustainable energy supply.